Toilet explodes after lightning strikes a home septic tank

[Larry Schwarcz]

Hi Everyone,

Hopefully this is the correct forum to ask this question. If not, please point me to the right one and I'll put it there.

You may have seen this in the news a few days ago (Aug 5, 2019). Lightning struck a septic tank and caused methane gas, that had built up, to explode.

Toilet explodes after lightning strikes a Port Charlotte home septic tank

Fortunately there were no injuries.

But, how could there have been a build up of methane gas? I don't know too much about septic systems but I would assume they're vented.

Or, is this a normal risk for those on a septic system?

Thanks!
Larry.

 

[Reach4]

I saw the article. Venting can support equalizing some amount of flow but not very high flows. Most septic tanks don't have a dedicated vent, but they get vented via the plumbing to the house and out the roof.

I was wondering if the heating effect of the lightning increased pressures on top of the methane combustion. In other words, was there steam pressure also contributing plus the heating of the gasses too.